Taffs, 59, of Westport, had historic excess breath-alcohol convictions from 1981 and 1993, and when he was caught again last year he tried to beat the breath-testing procedure by stuffing coins in his mouth.

The ploy did not work and he was convicted of that charge in September but, on August 19 he was again breath-tested after police followed his Landrover up his driveway.